Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic is set to launch its first commercial spaceflight in just a matter of weeks. The company said it is "ready to fly its first customers to space".
Virgin Galactic currently has two planned flights. The first mission - named Galactic 01 - will fly between June 27 and June 30. It will carry three crew members from the Italian Air Force and the National Research Council of Italy, who will be conducting microgravity research.
The second flight, Galactic 02, will take place in August this year. Galactic 02 will carry private astronauts.
